We all know someone who doesn’t want or need any more things. Personally, I have everything I want (although an iPad would be nice!), but I do need computer maintenance, more fun time with my friends, and help organizing my apartment.
That’s where the gift of experience comes in: instead of giving someone another possession, give them something much more precious. For example:
“This year, I’m giving more personal gifts. I know you like waterfalls and wine, so I’d like to schedule a time when we can take a day together and go hike to a waterfall you’ve never been to before and then go to a couple vineyards in the area for wine tasting. I will do the driving and bring a picnic lunch.”
You can write your gift on a card or make a coupon book that they can cash in later. Or you can just tell them about your plan in person.
Here are some ideas to get you started.
Post your own ideas in the comments, and I’ll add them to this list.
For those who like arts and crafts:
1. Take them on a scheduled art walk and then for coffee or wine afterwards.
2. Offer them an unused room in your house for them to use as their artist studio.
3. Come in and help them reorganize their arts and crafts and studio space.
4. Look for free and inexpensive art education and sign you and your friend up for a workshop. Recently, for example, there was an opportunity for a free workshop with a visiting artist at our local university museum–the workshop participants didn’t take their creations home, instead they helped create an exhibit. Other good places to look include local craft stores, local art stores, your local community college or university, and a local free school.
For those with busy lives:
5. Prepare a coupon book or just print your offer on a card: “Good for One 4-hour Babysitting” or a weekend petsitting. Other ideas: grocery shopping, house cleaning, gardening, organizing.
6. Do you have a spa or a hot tub or something like that your neighbor does not have? If you know them well enough, offer to loan them the use of your house for a few hours while you go out.
7. If you know your neighbors pretty well and know they’d appreciate it, rake their yard or mow their lawn for them without telling them you’re going to.
8. Do they need some home repair? Offer your services.
9. Like to sew? Good with home decoration? If your friend is open to it, offer to help her redecorate. There are so many inexpensive ways to do so nowadays. Here’s one of my all time favorite sites: 20 Thrifty, Frugal & Inexpensive Decorating Ideas.
For kids:
10. Give them a field trip to the zoo, a museum, or a place that gives free or inexpensive tours.
11. Take them on a hike.
12. Organize a scavenger hunt.
13. Teach them how to make stuff like quick, easy meals or how to knit or how to plant a kid-friendly garden.
14. Coordinate a kids’ party or a movie night for them and several of their friends.
For computer junkies:
15. Offer a few hours of your time to come and work on someone’s computer. My brother, a software engineer, and my sister who does IT work have given me gifts of help many times.
16. Help someone set up a website or blog.
17. Do some photography or other work for someone’s existing website or blog.
For music lovers:
18. Research the free concerts in your area. If you’re into it, invite your friend over for a glass of wine and some appetizers first, then take him or her to the concert.
19. If you know how to play an instrument, give a couple free music lessons.
For eclectic/adventurers:
20. Take your friend on an adventurous trip though your town. Too often we go out of town to explore when there’s so much we haven’t seen right where we live. Get creative, and spring for an inexpensive lunch or happy hour cocktails.
21. Does your friend like vintage clothing? Wildlife? Mosaics? Research what’s available in your area and be a tour guide.
22. Coordinate a photo shoot. Can you think of a location that seems ripe with photo opportunities? Grab your camera and your friend and make a morning of it.
23. Host an “Iron Chef” night at your house. Just like the television show, have a list of ingredients that must be used and a time limit for preparing them. Those who don’t like to cook can be the judges.
Readers: Do you have some ideas too? Please share them.
Photos: gregor_y, SashaW, Pink Sherbet Photography, ClickFlashPhotos
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4 non-facebook comments
This gets my mind buzzing with ideas. Thank you!
ooooh!
just like when you were a kid and you didnt have money and you would make those little coupon books for your parents.
I love that. i do the massage gift.
people like it :)
thanks for the reminder that not all great gifts are bought.
I love it. The best gifts I’ve ever gotten are experiences.
I like all of these! Especially the guided tour. I want one.
Some things I’ve tried -
Funksteena, you gave me one of my very favorite gifts to give and get – go to someone’s house and make them something to eat out of what they already have in the house. I’ve never had this gift turned down. You can do it with t-shirt and sweatshirt mods, too.
Oh, and,if your family and friends are as wildly independent as mine are, it really helps to include specifics on any ticket or coupon gift. I give dates, times, guest list, etc for the event, and follow up with a phone call or text the morning of. Some people are too proud or shy to ‘cash in’ a gift of your time unless you act sincerely enthusiastic.